This was the last day of our annual camping trip. Bailey decided he had had enough, loaded himself up in the trunk, and refused to get out until we left. What a spoiled dog.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Friday, October 07, 2005
Family Week
Hmmm, it's family week here at the bungalow, as my sister and nephew arrived on Monday night to trash my apartment with loads of toys and hippy scented lotion. Here's what's been on my agenda:
Introductions: I took my sister to meet our dad this week for the first time since she was five. They got along very well and Cedar took to him immediately...must have been all those bad jokes :). Last night we headed over to his house for dinner so that she and Cedar could meet the other sibs and dad's wife Sandy. Cedar, Kyle, and Scott all have the same hair and had a great time together, and Jennifer has a ton in common with Sandy. All said, I think the meetings opened up yet another door in our family, and it makes me happy.
Thanks angels: This morning on the way to work, Scott was in a six car pileup on I-205. He got rear ended by a semi and his car was totaled. Amazingly, he appears to have no traumatic injuries and only had to go to the hospital for an evaluation. Dad said the doctors said he should buy a lottery ticket because he's a lucky one to have walked away from the accident alive. People are really driving like assholes out there on the wet roads. Could it hurt to slow down and keep your distance, especially behind my family members?
Days off: I have today and Monday off, creating a nice 4 day weekend. Of course, it will be jam packed with family time, in Salem of all places, but I think I can handle it. Eeegh. Good thing I don't head down til tomorrow morning and we're going directly to the coast for the day.
New music: Okay, not so new, but I finally ordered Final Straw by Snow Patrol and twentysomething by Jamie Cullum. Both are good. Actually, Final Straw is great. I can't stop listening to it.
Alright, this wasn't much, but tonight I'm headed out to Portland City Grill and some other places to hang out and have a fun night, so I'm off to go get some cute BUT comfortable shoes. Trust me, I learned my lesson last week about that.
Introductions: I took my sister to meet our dad this week for the first time since she was five. They got along very well and Cedar took to him immediately...must have been all those bad jokes :). Last night we headed over to his house for dinner so that she and Cedar could meet the other sibs and dad's wife Sandy. Cedar, Kyle, and Scott all have the same hair and had a great time together, and Jennifer has a ton in common with Sandy. All said, I think the meetings opened up yet another door in our family, and it makes me happy.
Thanks angels: This morning on the way to work, Scott was in a six car pileup on I-205. He got rear ended by a semi and his car was totaled. Amazingly, he appears to have no traumatic injuries and only had to go to the hospital for an evaluation. Dad said the doctors said he should buy a lottery ticket because he's a lucky one to have walked away from the accident alive. People are really driving like assholes out there on the wet roads. Could it hurt to slow down and keep your distance, especially behind my family members?
Days off: I have today and Monday off, creating a nice 4 day weekend. Of course, it will be jam packed with family time, in Salem of all places, but I think I can handle it. Eeegh. Good thing I don't head down til tomorrow morning and we're going directly to the coast for the day.
New music: Okay, not so new, but I finally ordered Final Straw by Snow Patrol and twentysomething by Jamie Cullum. Both are good. Actually, Final Straw is great. I can't stop listening to it.
Alright, this wasn't much, but tonight I'm headed out to Portland City Grill and some other places to hang out and have a fun night, so I'm off to go get some cute BUT comfortable shoes. Trust me, I learned my lesson last week about that.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Bob Loblaw
Arrested Development has a new character named Bob Loblaw. That name cracks me up. I can't stop saying it. Seriously, just say it out loud if you are having a bad day, and it should cheer you up.
Oh, and if you don't watch Arrested Development yet, you should start. It's great.
Yep, that's all I had to say.
Oh, and if you don't watch Arrested Development yet, you should start. It's great.
Yep, that's all I had to say.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Max Crawling
I had my first Portland Max pub crawl experience on Friday night. In addition to celebrating a 30th birthday, the intention of this adventure is to hit a ton of bars along the Max line while maintaining the responsibility to not drink and drive. After one hellish 2.5 hour commute home (for 40 measly miles), I felt that I was quite deserving of an irresponsible night in the hands of another driver...so Jess, Bill, and I headed out. Here's as much as I can accurately report about what my $3.85 all night Max fare got me:
The Max Ride: We got on the Max in Beaverton. My roomies were still buying tickets when the doors closed, kidnapping me. I couldn't come up with this on my own, but upon calling Jessica on her cell, she suggested that I get off at the next Max stop and wait for them to pick me up on the next train. Wow, how did I miss that idea?
Destination #1...The White Eagle: Our first stop in North Portland, where the night began and we met everyone in our crew. One guy looked oddly familiar, and I pegged him as a classmate from the eigth grade and even remembered his name. Jess and I got our first drinks, but no food, and I caught up with the classmate and learned that a total of four girls named Sarah were rolling in our crew for the night. What, is my name really that common?
Destination #2...The Alibi: Fifteen of us jumped on the Max and headed even further north with the intention of landing at The Alibi. We passed it, and had to back pedal on our feet a few blocks. This is the point where I realized that open toed, kitten heeled Steve Maddens are not a good idea for a rainy night pub crawl. Ah well, they're cute.
At The Alibi, we finally ate, got more drinks, got lei'd (it's a Hawaiian themed place), and enjoyed some horrendous karaoke (I mean, this is so not Pete Lee). A girl not named Sarah in our group tipped half a beer into my lap and then brought me soda water to get it out, but not another beer to replace the one she spilled...what is wrong with her? Eventually, a guy bought me one instead and scolded the girl. Later, I used the men's room while a guy in our crew manned the door because the girl's room was just too packed. While I was in the stall, he drunkenly let a guy in to use the urinal claiming, "Hey, it's okay, it's a hot girl in there, you're fine." Never trust a drunk guy to guard the door for you.
Destination #3...Georges: While heading here on the Max, all of us scream Happy Birthday to the newly minted 30 year old. We are clearly a group of inebriated and loud idiots at this point, and everyone looked at us a little crazy. I managed to 'surf' the Max in my cute shoes without holding any rails...I must not have been too bad yet.
At Georges, a quarter of the crew drops off, and those of us who are left have some great conversations about marriage and 'dis'engagment. I also got to yell at a guy when his wedding ring mysteriously disappeared after his wife left for the night. He sheepishly reached in his pocket and put it back on. What a punk. I hope your wife of four months divorces you.
Destination #4: The Nite Hawk: We headed here on our feet, thus breaking the rules of a Max pub crawl, but everyone is too drunk to care. I was ready to be carried because the shoes really hurt, but my old classmate complimented me on how cute they are...validation. Once in the door, I played some pool, but failed all the shots...a rarity for me. That must mean it's time for...
Destination #5: Home: So I realized, I'm about done. Our last Max home was coming too, so my roomies and I headed out. We made it to a transfer station and realized that there were no more Max trains going to the Beav, so we ended up calling a taxi, got in, and zzzzzzzzzzz. I actually fell asleep on the ride home.
Anyway, it was a fun night, and I highly recommend a Max pub crawl. Here are some pointers though:
1) Be one of the few single girls in a group of male business professionals...you won't have to buy any drinks all night.
2) JUST don't pick up on any of the business professionals because they're either married and hiding their rings in their pockets, or have girlfriends, don't bring them, and lie for the night (but still buy you drinks).
3) Screw looking cute...wear your rain jacket and GOOD shoes.
4) Make sure that you MAKE the last train home because cabs late at night are spendy.
5) Keep a lot of water by your bed. You'll need it come morning when you...
6) Try to watch college football at 9:30 am, but then...
7) Go back to bed instead, because all that cheering will just hurt your head.
The Max Ride: We got on the Max in Beaverton. My roomies were still buying tickets when the doors closed, kidnapping me. I couldn't come up with this on my own, but upon calling Jessica on her cell, she suggested that I get off at the next Max stop and wait for them to pick me up on the next train. Wow, how did I miss that idea?
Destination #1...The White Eagle: Our first stop in North Portland, where the night began and we met everyone in our crew. One guy looked oddly familiar, and I pegged him as a classmate from the eigth grade and even remembered his name. Jess and I got our first drinks, but no food, and I caught up with the classmate and learned that a total of four girls named Sarah were rolling in our crew for the night. What, is my name really that common?
Destination #2...The Alibi: Fifteen of us jumped on the Max and headed even further north with the intention of landing at The Alibi. We passed it, and had to back pedal on our feet a few blocks. This is the point where I realized that open toed, kitten heeled Steve Maddens are not a good idea for a rainy night pub crawl. Ah well, they're cute.
At The Alibi, we finally ate, got more drinks, got lei'd (it's a Hawaiian themed place), and enjoyed some horrendous karaoke (I mean, this is so not Pete Lee). A girl not named Sarah in our group tipped half a beer into my lap and then brought me soda water to get it out, but not another beer to replace the one she spilled...what is wrong with her? Eventually, a guy bought me one instead and scolded the girl. Later, I used the men's room while a guy in our crew manned the door because the girl's room was just too packed. While I was in the stall, he drunkenly let a guy in to use the urinal claiming, "Hey, it's okay, it's a hot girl in there, you're fine." Never trust a drunk guy to guard the door for you.
Destination #3...Georges: While heading here on the Max, all of us scream Happy Birthday to the newly minted 30 year old. We are clearly a group of inebriated and loud idiots at this point, and everyone looked at us a little crazy. I managed to 'surf' the Max in my cute shoes without holding any rails...I must not have been too bad yet.
At Georges, a quarter of the crew drops off, and those of us who are left have some great conversations about marriage and 'dis'engagment. I also got to yell at a guy when his wedding ring mysteriously disappeared after his wife left for the night. He sheepishly reached in his pocket and put it back on. What a punk. I hope your wife of four months divorces you.
Destination #4: The Nite Hawk: We headed here on our feet, thus breaking the rules of a Max pub crawl, but everyone is too drunk to care. I was ready to be carried because the shoes really hurt, but my old classmate complimented me on how cute they are...validation. Once in the door, I played some pool, but failed all the shots...a rarity for me. That must mean it's time for...
Destination #5: Home: So I realized, I'm about done. Our last Max home was coming too, so my roomies and I headed out. We made it to a transfer station and realized that there were no more Max trains going to the Beav, so we ended up calling a taxi, got in, and zzzzzzzzzzz. I actually fell asleep on the ride home.
Anyway, it was a fun night, and I highly recommend a Max pub crawl. Here are some pointers though:
1) Be one of the few single girls in a group of male business professionals...you won't have to buy any drinks all night.
2) JUST don't pick up on any of the business professionals because they're either married and hiding their rings in their pockets, or have girlfriends, don't bring them, and lie for the night (but still buy you drinks).
3) Screw looking cute...wear your rain jacket and GOOD shoes.
4) Make sure that you MAKE the last train home because cabs late at night are spendy.
5) Keep a lot of water by your bed. You'll need it come morning when you...
6) Try to watch college football at 9:30 am, but then...
7) Go back to bed instead, because all that cheering will just hurt your head.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Keep Them in Your Thoughts
Just wanted to post that Mike's uncle Gary passed away in his sleep on Sunday night at 11:00 pm. My thoughts are just with his wife, son, and the rest of his family right now. And of course, Gary. As I mentioned before, the guy taught me a thing or two about how to enjoy life no matter what gets thrown at you. I'm a better person for knowing him and will always smile when I think of him. He'll be missed.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Game #5: WIN!
Oregon State 44
Washington State 33
And that's after being down two TDs at half time. Good job guys!
Washington State 33
And that's after being down two TDs at half time. Good job guys!
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Better Than a Bumper Sticker
I don't like bumper stickers, and only have a small OSU Beaver on my car (of course), but I saw this one and it made me smile:
If there are no dogs in Heaven, I'm not going.
Maybe I am too into my dog, but I like to think he is going to live as long as me and then follow me where ever I go next. And I plan to get pretty damn old before I head out. Okay, I sound like the crazy lady who lives on the corner with seventeen cats, but oh well, I love Bailey. Most people who meet him love him too actually. As I may have said before, I have humanized him a bit too much, and he's let it get to his head over the years...he knows how to work people.
Anyway, back to bumper stickers. That gets me to thinking about the crazy people who decorate the back dash of their car with Beanie Babies and stuffed animals. What the hell are they thinking? What could possibly possess a person to stuff freaky little fuzzy dolls into various corners of their vehicles? What about their blindspots? Will the driver blame Clucky the Fuzzy Chicken for the fat pileup that they cause on I-5?
In high school, before my friends got their licenses, Robin's (and everyone's) dad Steve used to drive us to school everyday. We would always get stuck behind this older model Jeep Cherokee that was fully decked out inside and out with Garfield and Odie memorabilia. They even had the seat covers. We would always laugh and wonder what it would be like to be the passenger who had to sit next to the huge stuffed Garfield on the backseat. No surprise though, the person driving never had passengers. Hmm.
I'm thinking about digging out all my old Cabbage Patch Kids to load up in the back of my wagon. When people drive behind me, they're sure to feel all warm and cuddly inside because my chubby cheeked dolls will be creepily smiling back at them.
Hey, whatever I can do to spread a little sunshine people.
If there are no dogs in Heaven, I'm not going.
Maybe I am too into my dog, but I like to think he is going to live as long as me and then follow me where ever I go next. And I plan to get pretty damn old before I head out. Okay, I sound like the crazy lady who lives on the corner with seventeen cats, but oh well, I love Bailey. Most people who meet him love him too actually. As I may have said before, I have humanized him a bit too much, and he's let it get to his head over the years...he knows how to work people.
Anyway, back to bumper stickers. That gets me to thinking about the crazy people who decorate the back dash of their car with Beanie Babies and stuffed animals. What the hell are they thinking? What could possibly possess a person to stuff freaky little fuzzy dolls into various corners of their vehicles? What about their blindspots? Will the driver blame Clucky the Fuzzy Chicken for the fat pileup that they cause on I-5?
In high school, before my friends got their licenses, Robin's (and everyone's) dad Steve used to drive us to school everyday. We would always get stuck behind this older model Jeep Cherokee that was fully decked out inside and out with Garfield and Odie memorabilia. They even had the seat covers. We would always laugh and wonder what it would be like to be the passenger who had to sit next to the huge stuffed Garfield on the backseat. No surprise though, the person driving never had passengers. Hmm.
I'm thinking about digging out all my old Cabbage Patch Kids to load up in the back of my wagon. When people drive behind me, they're sure to feel all warm and cuddly inside because my chubby cheeked dolls will be creepily smiling back at them.
Hey, whatever I can do to spread a little sunshine people.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Woke Up This Morning...
I got news this morning from my ex-fiance' Mike that his uncle Gary only has a couple of weeks left to live. Over the years, Mike and I got these calls a few times, that he was really sick, that we should fly out...but this time, it's real. He is ready to go.
Gary has had pancreatic cancer for as long as I have known Mike...so long that he has lived longer than any other person in the United States with the disease. I remember when Mike and I got together in the summer of 1999, Gary was given six weeks to live.
Some people prepare to die when they get a terminal diagnosis, but Gary wasn't gonna have that. He retired from work, got married, had a beautiful little boy, built a new house, travelled, and then travelled some more. On top of all this, his sense of humor stayed completely intact, even on his sickest days. On one trip down to his house in San Diego, the swimming pool hadn't heated up yet, so Gary, with a 103 degree temperature offered to go lay out in the pool to heat it up.
I hate that Gary fought the hell out of this disease, and it is finally beating him. There were so many times where the cancer shrank to almost undetectable levels. There was always a hope that it wouldn't come back. Even at the worst times though, he just kept making plans and living his life.
I admit that I have spent the better part of today crying about this situation. I'm guessing Gary would prefer it the other way around, but if you knew him, you'd realize what a bright light this guy is and how much he will be missed. Can't even think of a just way to wrap this except that I finally understand what 'valiant battle' means...Gary epitomizes the phrase, with humor and grace.
Gary has had pancreatic cancer for as long as I have known Mike...so long that he has lived longer than any other person in the United States with the disease. I remember when Mike and I got together in the summer of 1999, Gary was given six weeks to live.
Some people prepare to die when they get a terminal diagnosis, but Gary wasn't gonna have that. He retired from work, got married, had a beautiful little boy, built a new house, travelled, and then travelled some more. On top of all this, his sense of humor stayed completely intact, even on his sickest days. On one trip down to his house in San Diego, the swimming pool hadn't heated up yet, so Gary, with a 103 degree temperature offered to go lay out in the pool to heat it up.
I hate that Gary fought the hell out of this disease, and it is finally beating him. There were so many times where the cancer shrank to almost undetectable levels. There was always a hope that it wouldn't come back. Even at the worst times though, he just kept making plans and living his life.
I admit that I have spent the better part of today crying about this situation. I'm guessing Gary would prefer it the other way around, but if you knew him, you'd realize what a bright light this guy is and how much he will be missed. Can't even think of a just way to wrap this except that I finally understand what 'valiant battle' means...Gary epitomizes the phrase, with humor and grace.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Complaint Session
Things that are annoying me right now:
Cable TV: My house decided to add 60 channels to our typically stripped lineup for football season so we can faithfully root for our Beavers. How can there be this many channels and STILL be nothing on? Besides getting to watch Fox News and CNN again, I think it's terrible. We did run across an episode of COPS that had some crazy lunatic getting hauled off to jail. When the cop asked him if he had a lawyer, he said, "Yeah, I have a lawyer and his name is Ouch!" He said it because his cuffs were too tight, and I don't know why I thought it was so funny, but whatever...that's the extent of entertainment I found in all those channels.
Hurrican Rita evacuations: Some news guy on Fox News pointed out that they are evacuating Texas with only one side of the freeway. As much as I know Texans WANT to sit in traffic for sixteen hours while the six opposing lanes remain empty, I'd like to echo the news guy by asking, What the hell are you waiting for? Open up those damn lanes you idiots...no one is going to be heading TOWARD Texas for a while, trust me.
Alcohol billboards on the roads and freeways: I'm truly thinking about taking this one to the legislature. How can we possibly advertise alcoholic beverages on the roads where thousands are killed by drunk drivers every year? It's stupid, and I want them gone.
The Emmys: Talk about a joke. They are as lame and calculated as the Academy Awards. Why do the same people win every year? Why are the jokes so bad? I had to quit watching after an hour. Oh, and Zach Braff...didn't win. I don't approve.
On that note let me talk more about the Academy Awards. Yeah, it's not that time yet, but let me sum it up for you...Once you're in, you're gold for life ("Ooooh, Kate Winslet was just faaaabulous dying in Finding Neverland, wasn't she?"). I don't buy that these same repetitive nominees are the only deserving actors and actresses in the biz. It's a bunch of crap, and I haven't watched them for a few years now.
Abused animals: Tonight, I got sucked into watching that animal saving cop show on Animal Planet for thirty seconds (because if I watch any longer, I start crying). Being that my dog is pretty much human and treated like a smaller version of God, it makes me sick to see these poor animals all filthy, mistreated, and caged up. Oh, when people don't fix their animals, I get irritated too. I also plan to get petshops banned one day, just in case you're interested in jumping on that bill with me. Now, Bailey is from a petshop, and I love him, but all my future dogs will be rescues.
Ignorant people: So I work at an agency affiliated with the Catholic code of ethics. Most of our employees are great about separating their moral values from the work environment, but some let their feelings be a little too known. One of my coworkers used to work at the Boys and Girls Club, and he ran into a woman who works in another department. She told him that she refuses to let her kids go to the B and G Club because, "They did a billboard with Planned Parenthood, and Planned Parenthood supports abortion." She actually made this comment a long time ago now, and it still pisses me off. I just can't shake my disdain for the woman's choice to passively chastise one of my favorite coworkers.
My commute: 80 miles of driving a day gives me way too much time to think. Being inside my head for that long just gets on my nerves, so I try to make all my phone calls on the road.
Being 'that annoying girl on her cell while driving': Nah, this doesn't really annoy me. It actually keeps me sane, but I'm sure I am contributing to someone else's list of things that annoy them by doing it, thus starting a new cycle of annoyance for someone else. Good thing I can live with that today.
Cable TV: My house decided to add 60 channels to our typically stripped lineup for football season so we can faithfully root for our Beavers. How can there be this many channels and STILL be nothing on? Besides getting to watch Fox News and CNN again, I think it's terrible. We did run across an episode of COPS that had some crazy lunatic getting hauled off to jail. When the cop asked him if he had a lawyer, he said, "Yeah, I have a lawyer and his name is Ouch!" He said it because his cuffs were too tight, and I don't know why I thought it was so funny, but whatever...that's the extent of entertainment I found in all those channels.
Hurrican Rita evacuations: Some news guy on Fox News pointed out that they are evacuating Texas with only one side of the freeway. As much as I know Texans WANT to sit in traffic for sixteen hours while the six opposing lanes remain empty, I'd like to echo the news guy by asking, What the hell are you waiting for? Open up those damn lanes you idiots...no one is going to be heading TOWARD Texas for a while, trust me.
Alcohol billboards on the roads and freeways: I'm truly thinking about taking this one to the legislature. How can we possibly advertise alcoholic beverages on the roads where thousands are killed by drunk drivers every year? It's stupid, and I want them gone.
The Emmys: Talk about a joke. They are as lame and calculated as the Academy Awards. Why do the same people win every year? Why are the jokes so bad? I had to quit watching after an hour. Oh, and Zach Braff...didn't win. I don't approve.
On that note let me talk more about the Academy Awards. Yeah, it's not that time yet, but let me sum it up for you...Once you're in, you're gold for life ("Ooooh, Kate Winslet was just faaaabulous dying in Finding Neverland, wasn't she?"). I don't buy that these same repetitive nominees are the only deserving actors and actresses in the biz. It's a bunch of crap, and I haven't watched them for a few years now.
Abused animals: Tonight, I got sucked into watching that animal saving cop show on Animal Planet for thirty seconds (because if I watch any longer, I start crying). Being that my dog is pretty much human and treated like a smaller version of God, it makes me sick to see these poor animals all filthy, mistreated, and caged up. Oh, when people don't fix their animals, I get irritated too. I also plan to get petshops banned one day, just in case you're interested in jumping on that bill with me. Now, Bailey is from a petshop, and I love him, but all my future dogs will be rescues.
Ignorant people: So I work at an agency affiliated with the Catholic code of ethics. Most of our employees are great about separating their moral values from the work environment, but some let their feelings be a little too known. One of my coworkers used to work at the Boys and Girls Club, and he ran into a woman who works in another department. She told him that she refuses to let her kids go to the B and G Club because, "They did a billboard with Planned Parenthood, and Planned Parenthood supports abortion." She actually made this comment a long time ago now, and it still pisses me off. I just can't shake my disdain for the woman's choice to passively chastise one of my favorite coworkers.
My commute: 80 miles of driving a day gives me way too much time to think. Being inside my head for that long just gets on my nerves, so I try to make all my phone calls on the road.
Being 'that annoying girl on her cell while driving': Nah, this doesn't really annoy me. It actually keeps me sane, but I'm sure I am contributing to someone else's list of things that annoy them by doing it, thus starting a new cycle of annoyance for someone else. Good thing I can live with that today.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Sixty Degrees and Mellow
Ahhh, life. It's been pretty mellow lately, and here's what I've been up to:
GOOD
My friends Devin and Pinki got married in Manzanita on Saturday and included a lot of Pinki's culture in the ceremony and reception. They even gave out traditional place settings sent from Hong Kong as wedding favors...I got a whole set. The wedding and reception were beautiful and these two make a great couple.
I finally acquired Songs for Silverman by Ben Folds. I was in need of some new stuff from this super talented piano man, and this does the trick. I am pretty obsessed with the song Landed at the moment.
Hmm, I like playing pool. Friday night, about fifteen of us overtook the pool room at the McMenamin's Cedar Hills Pub and ate, played pool, and caught up. The only bummer...I lost in pool and had to buy dinner for a certain guy and myself as part of a deal struck earlier in the evening. I thought I was pretty good, but it looks like I need to hone my skills or quit making bets with better players.
My sister Jennifer and nephew Cedar arrive in two weeks for a visit. Apparently, Cedar has been packing his Power Rangers suitcase since July and has been telling EVERYONE that he is going to go see his 'auntie.' I should add on that he is doing this only because his best friend went to see his 'auntie' and he wants to compete with him. But I still feel a little special.
I was on call again for my job and got one call the entire time. Nice considering that the people on-call before and after me got more than 15 calls each. So I essentially made $175 just for carrying the pager and looking like I was from the early nineties for a week...I can handle that.
BAD
The football teams I've been rooting for had one hell of a week. I don't even need to mention the Beavers game again...it was awful. And then the Cowboys had a freak loss to the Redskins...bye-bye 77-0 record, coach. As supporters of Jose Cortez (my friend Delainie's husband AND a former Beaver), our house had a hard time watching them go down after what was almost a shutout...aggh, hope next week is better all around.
I was sick for about a week and it finally blew over last Friday. I always feel like I am dying when I am sick because I hardly ever get sick. I mean, a headache to me means brain tumor, a stomachache means cancer. Luckily the longest part, the sore throat, means sore throat...but it still sucked.
TEENAGE ETIQUETTE
On Sunday night, my friend Chris came over to watch Fever Pitch and hang out. Raquel (the teenager who lives with us) joined us for the evening. As we were all settling in, she blurted out, "Dude, what happened to Reckless? He was here all the time." Then she continued to ramble on for another few minutes. Reckless, by the way, is Mike, and he got friended a little over a week ago. His license plate on his truck says REKLES, but only because he bought it that way from a friend in AK and never changed it, I swear! Anyway, these awkward situations have happened before with the teenager when I have had the opposite sex around and are bound to happen again in my dating days. Being that I'm not dating Chris, I used it as a training moment and offered up that if I was dating him, it would be pretty awkward for him to hear about another guy, wouldn't you think? Anyway, I may need duct tape for when I have a date over next.
SEND YOUR LOVE
My friend Kim has started going through the prepping for another potential heart surgery. It's a stressful time, so send some good vibes her way and to whatever God you pray to and keep thinking about her.
TUNES
Alright, I'll leave you with some new and old music to go and buy, steal, whatever. My cheese-o-meter self enjoys the new Weezer song Beverly Hills...sorry, it just reminds me a lot of the fun style on their blue album. As mentioned above, Landed by Ben Folds is awesome. And for a nice mellow welcome into fall, go with Coming Home by G-Love. It's good. And Either Way by Guster...it makes me a little sad, but I love it.
Hey, have a good week out there.
GOOD
My friends Devin and Pinki got married in Manzanita on Saturday and included a lot of Pinki's culture in the ceremony and reception. They even gave out traditional place settings sent from Hong Kong as wedding favors...I got a whole set. The wedding and reception were beautiful and these two make a great couple.
I finally acquired Songs for Silverman by Ben Folds. I was in need of some new stuff from this super talented piano man, and this does the trick. I am pretty obsessed with the song Landed at the moment.
Hmm, I like playing pool. Friday night, about fifteen of us overtook the pool room at the McMenamin's Cedar Hills Pub and ate, played pool, and caught up. The only bummer...I lost in pool and had to buy dinner for a certain guy and myself as part of a deal struck earlier in the evening. I thought I was pretty good, but it looks like I need to hone my skills or quit making bets with better players.
My sister Jennifer and nephew Cedar arrive in two weeks for a visit. Apparently, Cedar has been packing his Power Rangers suitcase since July and has been telling EVERYONE that he is going to go see his 'auntie.' I should add on that he is doing this only because his best friend went to see his 'auntie' and he wants to compete with him. But I still feel a little special.
I was on call again for my job and got one call the entire time. Nice considering that the people on-call before and after me got more than 15 calls each. So I essentially made $175 just for carrying the pager and looking like I was from the early nineties for a week...I can handle that.
BAD
The football teams I've been rooting for had one hell of a week. I don't even need to mention the Beavers game again...it was awful. And then the Cowboys had a freak loss to the Redskins...bye-bye 77-0 record, coach. As supporters of Jose Cortez (my friend Delainie's husband AND a former Beaver), our house had a hard time watching them go down after what was almost a shutout...aggh, hope next week is better all around.
I was sick for about a week and it finally blew over last Friday. I always feel like I am dying when I am sick because I hardly ever get sick. I mean, a headache to me means brain tumor, a stomachache means cancer. Luckily the longest part, the sore throat, means sore throat...but it still sucked.
TEENAGE ETIQUETTE
On Sunday night, my friend Chris came over to watch Fever Pitch and hang out. Raquel (the teenager who lives with us) joined us for the evening. As we were all settling in, she blurted out, "Dude, what happened to Reckless? He was here all the time." Then she continued to ramble on for another few minutes. Reckless, by the way, is Mike, and he got friended a little over a week ago. His license plate on his truck says REKLES, but only because he bought it that way from a friend in AK and never changed it, I swear! Anyway, these awkward situations have happened before with the teenager when I have had the opposite sex around and are bound to happen again in my dating days. Being that I'm not dating Chris, I used it as a training moment and offered up that if I was dating him, it would be pretty awkward for him to hear about another guy, wouldn't you think? Anyway, I may need duct tape for when I have a date over next.
SEND YOUR LOVE
My friend Kim has started going through the prepping for another potential heart surgery. It's a stressful time, so send some good vibes her way and to whatever God you pray to and keep thinking about her.
TUNES
Alright, I'll leave you with some new and old music to go and buy, steal, whatever. My cheese-o-meter self enjoys the new Weezer song Beverly Hills...sorry, it just reminds me a lot of the fun style on their blue album. As mentioned above, Landed by Ben Folds is awesome. And for a nice mellow welcome into fall, go with Coming Home by G-Love. It's good. And Either Way by Guster...it makes me a little sad, but I love it.
Hey, have a good week out there.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Last September
To most, this last week was probably an ordinary week. As for me, I'd like to celebrate the anniversary of a week that changed my perspective on the life I was living.
I actually wrote this in January. But it explains the process pretty well, so read on:
Months ago I excitedly found out that my long term boyfriend was finally going to propose to me. He announced this in an effort to select the exact ring I wanted, and it was one which he eventually successfully created. Having waited many years for him to show some sign of an effort to bump me from his girlfriend to bonafide fiancée, I was thrilled, ecstatic, and told everyone I knew.
By December, we were in the most awkward proposal ever. He was down on one knee, asking me to marry him, and my answer back? “I guess so.” I guess so? Yes, I really said this, and he didn’t seem to even flinch. He still put the ring on my finger, took me to show off to his family. How did we get that far, or better yet, how did I let it get that far?
In September I took an 800 mile roadtrip home to relax and spend time with my best friends. Jessica, one of my dearest friends who had already been married for years and had waited just as long for me to announce an engagement, conned me into checking out the local bridal shops to try on wedding dresses. I excitedly obliged (only to later find out from another friend that it's bad luck to try on wedding dresses before you are engaged), and we rushed to a shop with aisles and aisles of pretty white and cream dresses. We happily picked over the dresses finding three that held my interest…simple, but not too plain, bigger, but not on the edge of making me look like a mobster‘s bride. I tried on one…pretty, I like this, I look pretty on this pedestal. Then I tried on another, did a few twirls…yeah, this is working for me. Then I looked to the pedestal on my left and opened my ears and eyes to this beautiful glowing petite girl. “This song is going to make me cry because I am just so happy,” she said, fanning her eyes to hold back the welling tears. “I can’t wait to get married.” Gulp. That may have been the point where I started to realize that getting engaged had just become a goal for me, the next logical step…not a dream, and especially not the dream of spending the rest of my life with the man I was trying on this dress for.
Yeah, so I already knew last September that I wasn't ready to get married...and worse, that I wasn't sure I wanted to marry Mike. It would become a constant discussion between Mike and I up until the day of his proposal, and we thought about not doing it a few times. I think that I was hoping the real engagement would change my point of view. As you all know, it didn't and it was over a little more than a month later.
Completely unrelated, but equally important in my life...last September on my trip home, I met my dad for the first time. I remember it being the most nerve bending experience of my life, but I really wanted to meet the guy. He came to the mall, brought my little sister Lexy, we had rootbeer floats, and talked about the past. Later that night, I dragged my friend Jessica to his house to meet my other siblings. In January on another trip home, he introduced me to a stranger as his daughter. I think that was the point where it really kicked in that I was comfortable with the idea of having a dad.
Right now, we're still building our relationship, learning about each other and how much we have had in common all these years. I've always had 'dads' in my life, but it is a completely different experience to have a dad who shares your blood, your traits, your oddly loud voice. I'm happy to say that I don't regret the choice to find my dad and make him a part of my life...it's been great.
So finally, my trip last September set off the flashing lights in my head that I really wanted to move back home. I won't expand on the terror of pulling off that move for a while still, but it has been yet another decision that meets no regret. I'm loving life right now...my friends, my family, my job, even the weather. Now, if only that older sister of mine would move back home too...
I actually wrote this in January. But it explains the process pretty well, so read on:
Months ago I excitedly found out that my long term boyfriend was finally going to propose to me. He announced this in an effort to select the exact ring I wanted, and it was one which he eventually successfully created. Having waited many years for him to show some sign of an effort to bump me from his girlfriend to bonafide fiancée, I was thrilled, ecstatic, and told everyone I knew.
By December, we were in the most awkward proposal ever. He was down on one knee, asking me to marry him, and my answer back? “I guess so.” I guess so? Yes, I really said this, and he didn’t seem to even flinch. He still put the ring on my finger, took me to show off to his family. How did we get that far, or better yet, how did I let it get that far?
In September I took an 800 mile roadtrip home to relax and spend time with my best friends. Jessica, one of my dearest friends who had already been married for years and had waited just as long for me to announce an engagement, conned me into checking out the local bridal shops to try on wedding dresses. I excitedly obliged (only to later find out from another friend that it's bad luck to try on wedding dresses before you are engaged), and we rushed to a shop with aisles and aisles of pretty white and cream dresses. We happily picked over the dresses finding three that held my interest…simple, but not too plain, bigger, but not on the edge of making me look like a mobster‘s bride. I tried on one…pretty, I like this, I look pretty on this pedestal. Then I tried on another, did a few twirls…yeah, this is working for me. Then I looked to the pedestal on my left and opened my ears and eyes to this beautiful glowing petite girl. “This song is going to make me cry because I am just so happy,” she said, fanning her eyes to hold back the welling tears. “I can’t wait to get married.” Gulp. That may have been the point where I started to realize that getting engaged had just become a goal for me, the next logical step…not a dream, and especially not the dream of spending the rest of my life with the man I was trying on this dress for.
Yeah, so I already knew last September that I wasn't ready to get married...and worse, that I wasn't sure I wanted to marry Mike. It would become a constant discussion between Mike and I up until the day of his proposal, and we thought about not doing it a few times. I think that I was hoping the real engagement would change my point of view. As you all know, it didn't and it was over a little more than a month later.
Completely unrelated, but equally important in my life...last September on my trip home, I met my dad for the first time. I remember it being the most nerve bending experience of my life, but I really wanted to meet the guy. He came to the mall, brought my little sister Lexy, we had rootbeer floats, and talked about the past. Later that night, I dragged my friend Jessica to his house to meet my other siblings. In January on another trip home, he introduced me to a stranger as his daughter. I think that was the point where it really kicked in that I was comfortable with the idea of having a dad.
Right now, we're still building our relationship, learning about each other and how much we have had in common all these years. I've always had 'dads' in my life, but it is a completely different experience to have a dad who shares your blood, your traits, your oddly loud voice. I'm happy to say that I don't regret the choice to find my dad and make him a part of my life...it's been great.
So finally, my trip last September set off the flashing lights in my head that I really wanted to move back home. I won't expand on the terror of pulling off that move for a while still, but it has been yet another decision that meets no regret. I'm loving life right now...my friends, my family, my job, even the weather. Now, if only that older sister of mine would move back home too...
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Game #3: LOSE
Oregon State 27
Louisville 63
Yeah, your eyes are right...it was horrible. The biggest amount of points we've given up in a single game in the HISTORY of Beaver football. What was worst was that ten of us got up early enough to watch the game start at 9:00. Damn, I could have used some extra sleep.
Louisville 63
Yeah, your eyes are right...it was horrible. The biggest amount of points we've given up in a single game in the HISTORY of Beaver football. What was worst was that ten of us got up early enough to watch the game start at 9:00. Damn, I could have used some extra sleep.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
CRASH Into Me
Crash has officially been added to my list of movies that are a sociological and cinematic dream come true. This movie made me scream, cry, and then almost cry several more times, pound my fist on my coffee table, and even cheer at a few points.
I'd analyze this film from my liberal 'lover of sociology' viewpoint for you, but really it comes down to this:
1) I loved it.
2) You should watch it.
3) Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges deserves cinematic respect. Seriously.
4) If you feel no emotion watching it, you are a stone.
5) If you're still pissed at Matt Dillon's character by the end of the movie, good.
6) If you don't rethink some of your own viewpoints, you're lying to yourself.
And lastly, if you don't think this stuff really happens, you are an ignorant ass. In this case, I suggest you spend a rainy Oregon day watching Crash again, along with American History X, The Hurricane, Traffic, and Philadelphia. If you aren't pissed about something by the end of the day, consider yourself a threat to society and move to a deserted island.
I'd analyze this film from my liberal 'lover of sociology' viewpoint for you, but really it comes down to this:
1) I loved it.
2) You should watch it.
3) Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges deserves cinematic respect. Seriously.
4) If you feel no emotion watching it, you are a stone.
5) If you're still pissed at Matt Dillon's character by the end of the movie, good.
6) If you don't rethink some of your own viewpoints, you're lying to yourself.
And lastly, if you don't think this stuff really happens, you are an ignorant ass. In this case, I suggest you spend a rainy Oregon day watching Crash again, along with American History X, The Hurricane, Traffic, and Philadelphia. If you aren't pissed about something by the end of the day, consider yourself a threat to society and move to a deserted island.
Monday, September 12, 2005
In honor of Grandparent's Day (which was yesterday by the way), this is the amazing Charles Knowles and myself in Dalton, Ohio back in July 1983. This was the summer when I lived with 'Grandpa and Grandma' for four months and learned how to feed chickens, take care of my own rabbit, plant bulbs and tend a garden, fish, ride a horse, ride a bike, read longer books, write bigger words, and use lightning bugs as a night light. Grandpa's been Amish since the early 90s and still gets up early, farms, and drops me letters in the mail. This man has had the biggest influence on many decisions in my life, hands down...and the reason that I love the smell of tobacco smoke to this day. Because I am still getting used to having a Grandma again, I didn't call my Grandma Hadenfeld until today, but we had a good talk and caught up. Remember to call and give a happy belated if you forgot to yesterday.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
I Hate (pause) How News Reporters Talk
I swear I don’t remember reporters talking in their own tonal language when I was younger. But lately when I watch the news, I end up turning it off because I just can’t handle their inability to talk like people (pause) on the street.
If my news annoyance isn’t registering with you yet, go turn on the news and watch for a few minutes, and let me give you more examples:
Yesterday, Sally Johnson shot her husband and now (pause) tragically (pause, lower voice) he is dead…George Smith addressed the chaos in New Orleans today, and what he had to say (pause) moved millions…The car wreck caused a pileup so huge that no one could move their cars (pause) for hours.
It’s all just so damn unnatural, stupid, and annoying.
Who made this awkward form of speech universally acceptable as the way to present the news? I personally like to refer to it as the ‘Stone Phillips’ style. I remember him doing it way back when, the bizarre sounding transitions from one thought to another…the illusion that his words were a prelude to something completely amazing…and oh yeah, I hated it back then too. Rob Lowe made fun of it on Saturday Night Live once, and he barely even had to exaggerate his speech patterns. My friend Steve can mimic the style perfectly too. He lowers his head, his tone, adopts the stupid seriousness.
I think the next time I go on a date with someone new, I will talk only in news talk. I will end every sentence like a closing statement…“So that must have been fun growing up (pause) in Maine.” And, “Hey, I like your shirt. That color would look good (pause) on my bedroom floor.”
I can guess that if I talked like that all night and then tried to say, “Hey, I had fun, you should come in and hang out (pause) for a while,” he would probably be squealing out of my driveway in reverse faster than I could say, “But I thought (pause) we had fun.”
I mean, look at it, look at how awkward it is to just try to read it with pauses in those stupid places. Then add in the serious pose, the lowered voice, and it’s just ridiculous. So I am making a plea to all you news reporters to PLEASE stop presenting the news this way, or just STOP TALKING ALTOGETHER! My internet at home has been out for a week, and that is the only reason I have to watch the news on TV anyway, because I can’t simply enjoy reading it on (pause) my f**king silent computer screen.
Back to you Bob.
If my news annoyance isn’t registering with you yet, go turn on the news and watch for a few minutes, and let me give you more examples:
Yesterday, Sally Johnson shot her husband and now (pause) tragically (pause, lower voice) he is dead…George Smith addressed the chaos in New Orleans today, and what he had to say (pause) moved millions…The car wreck caused a pileup so huge that no one could move their cars (pause) for hours.
It’s all just so damn unnatural, stupid, and annoying.
Who made this awkward form of speech universally acceptable as the way to present the news? I personally like to refer to it as the ‘Stone Phillips’ style. I remember him doing it way back when, the bizarre sounding transitions from one thought to another…the illusion that his words were a prelude to something completely amazing…and oh yeah, I hated it back then too. Rob Lowe made fun of it on Saturday Night Live once, and he barely even had to exaggerate his speech patterns. My friend Steve can mimic the style perfectly too. He lowers his head, his tone, adopts the stupid seriousness.
I think the next time I go on a date with someone new, I will talk only in news talk. I will end every sentence like a closing statement…“So that must have been fun growing up (pause) in Maine.” And, “Hey, I like your shirt. That color would look good (pause) on my bedroom floor.”
I can guess that if I talked like that all night and then tried to say, “Hey, I had fun, you should come in and hang out (pause) for a while,” he would probably be squealing out of my driveway in reverse faster than I could say, “But I thought (pause) we had fun.”
I mean, look at it, look at how awkward it is to just try to read it with pauses in those stupid places. Then add in the serious pose, the lowered voice, and it’s just ridiculous. So I am making a plea to all you news reporters to PLEASE stop presenting the news this way, or just STOP TALKING ALTOGETHER! My internet at home has been out for a week, and that is the only reason I have to watch the news on TV anyway, because I can’t simply enjoy reading it on (pause) my f**king silent computer screen.
Back to you Bob.
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